Iowa Cubs Fan Wins National 'Take Me Fishing' Sweepstakes & Heads Home with Triton Bass Boat
Winner Chosen from Thousands of Triple-A Fans All Across U.S.

DES MOINES - The winner of the national Take Me Fishing baseball sweepstakes is George Hans, of Ankeny, who beat out all of the other Triple-A Baseball fans from 27 teams to take home the grand prize. Hans, 74, was presented with a fully equipped, 17-foot Triton bass boat and trailer when he took to the field with his wife, "Bel," during Saturday's game at Principal Park.

"I was completely in shock when they told me," said Hans, a Des Moines-area resident for the past three decades and a professional truck driver for more than 40 years. "Although I'm not a big angler, it looks like I'll be doing a lot more fishing."

A season ticket-holder and regular fixture in Section H at Iowa Cubs games, Hans claims to attend "maybe 90 percent" of all home games. It was at one of those games earlier this season that he entered the Take Me Fishing Sweepstakes to get a shot at the bass boat. Hans wanted to win the boat for his seven grandchildren, many of whom enjoy playing ball and going fishing.

Sponsored by the Recreational Boating & Fishing Foundation (RBFF) in collaboration with Triple-A Baseball, the contest generated nearly 20,000 entries from the 27 participating Triple-A teams. "Baseball and fishing are two of America's favorite pastimes and they have many of the same family values," said RBFF President and CEO Frank Peterson. "We heartily congratulate George on his big win and know that he and his wife will enjoy sharing time on the water with their grandkids."

The new, 17-foot Triton VT 17 sports an 85-inch beam for tremendous interior room and exceptional stability while fishing or running. With its extra-wide 60-inch bottom, the boat draws little water, allowing anglers to access shallow backwaters where lunker bass lurk. It incorporates the same high level of materials and construction found in the company's premium tournament models. The total package also features a Mercury-powered outboard and trailer, and carries a retail value of $13,000.

Cubs fans hoping to congratulate Hans might be lucky enough to spot him headed to the ballpark or just driving around town in his Model A Ford. He loves to tinker with old cars, and the one he drives was built around the time he was born. But don't ask him who's older.

"I've got an old car and a new boat," said Hans. "That should keep me young at heart."

Asked if the Model A can tow a boat, Hans laughed and said he planned to get a hitch for his other car. Where will he go on his first fishing and boating outing? "Maybe a day on Saylorville Reservoir in Polk City," he added. "It's nice up there."